While jazz trios tend to stay low-pro, E.S.T. has managed to gain an international following outside of its home base of Sweden. Much like the Cinematic Orchestra, the group's new school approach to post-bop creates more of journey for its listener, rather than a groove. We're featuring this in memory of Esbjorn Svensson. Svensson died on June 14, 2008 at the age of 44.
Esbjorn Svensson Trio is a phenomenon: a jazz trio, which sees itself as a pop band that plays jazz. By incorporating elements of European house, techno, drum 'n' bass and jungle, with the influence of Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple and even Igor Stravinsky, e.s.t. has pulled off the virtually impossible feat of producing some of the most innovative, thoughtful and intensely rigorous jazz, while attracting an audience made up of manic fans from rock, pop and hip-hop.